Exposing East Tennessee's dark secret: Families sell children for sex

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - An alarming epidemic plagues East Tennessee, but few fully understand the gravity or magnitude of the situation.

In the simplest of terms, children, some as young as three years old, have been sold for sex by their own parents and family members.

Adults, many with children of their own, have also fallen victim to human trafficking.

Experts identify the most vulnerable human trafficking victims as children in foster care or group homes, children or adults with a history of physical or sexual abuse, runaways, people with special needs, and anyone with a weakness or vulnerability that can be exposed or exploited.

"Traffickers promise a high-paying job, a loving relationship, or new and exciting opportunities and then use physical and psychological violence to control them," said the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

As one of the region's darkest secrets bubbles just below the surface, the Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking answers with a swift and focused attack.

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